
Drain Cleaning
Clogged kitchen sinks, slow bathroom drains and backed-up basement floor drains.
Water rising at the basement floor drain or every drain slowing at once means the main line is blocked. We rod it clear to the city sewer and show you the cause on camera. Our Evanston office is on Orrington Avenue, downtown.


Sewer rodding clears a blocked main line with a long, flexible steel cable fed through a cleanout access point. A cutting head on the end breaks through roots, grease, and debris and pushes the blockage toward the street connection, restoring flow through the pipe. It's the standard first fix for a clogged or backed-up sewer line. For most homes, it's the only fix needed.
Watch for:
The lowest drain in the house fills first.
Air and water pushed back up.
The blockage is below them all.
Roots regrow in old clay.
Most clogs here come from the age of the pipe and the trees above it.
Fine roots fill old clay joints and catch paper.
Even flushable wipes snag on roots.
Rough pipe narrows the opening.
Roots back in months? Hydro jetting or a repair lasts longer.
Clear it, see it, explain it.
A basement cleanout or the yard.
Then a camera pass.
With options and a price.

Tree roots grow fastest when the ground thaws and the trees leaf out. In an old clay lateral, that's when fine roots push through the joints and fill the pipe. Add a few heavy spring rains and a full combined sewer, and a partly blocked line gives up. That's why many Evanston homeowners with a root history book their rodding in late winter. It clears the line just before the growth season starts.
4.8 stars from 869 Google reviews for our Evanston office.
"Edgar rodded out both my shower drain and vanity sink. He’s was professional and knowledgeable . I think J Blanton is on the pricey side , but I’m very happy with Edgar’s work."
"Ray was awesome! My kitchen sink was backed up and he took care of things courteously, neatly and thoroughly. Ray explained the mechanics of why my issue may have happened and how to prevent it from happening again. I recommend Ray and JVS to anyone looking for a plumber!"
"Andrew & Ty did a great job! They were very quick & professional! Highly recommend them for all your drain clogs."
Yearly if roots are a problem.
If roots have blocked it before, plan on once a year, ideally late winter.
Rodding cuts a path. Jetting cleans the walls.
Rodding cuts through roots and clogs. Jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the whole pipe wall, so it usually lasts longer.
On a dry day, it's usually your lateral.
If it happens without rain, the blockage is usually in your lateral. During heavy storms, the combined sewer can back up too.
It makes service easier.
We can usually get in without one, but adding an outside cleanout makes every future visit faster.
It can slow regrowth, not clear a clog.
Root treatments can slow regrowth after a cleaning, but they won't open a blocked line. Mechanical cleaning comes first.
It depends on access and the clog. You'll approve a flat price first.
It depends on access, the length of the line and the blockage. You'll approve a flat-rate price before we start.
Annual Protection Plan
Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.


Clogged kitchen sinks, slow bathroom drains and backed-up basement floor drains.

Cracked clay pipe, roots and repeat backups in laterals that can be 80 to 100 years old.

Leaking water lines, hidden leaks behind plaster and worn-out pipe in older homes.

Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.

Cleaning and repair for yard and driveway catch basins that back up when it rains.

Running toilets, leaky shower valves and new fixture installs.

Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Our Evanston office is at 1603 Orrington Ave #600-1085, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Wilmette, Skokie, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Rogers Park, Glenview, Winnetka and more.